Das Rauschgift

Das Besties returns with a new dance theater spectacle! 12 performances only! December 4 - 21, 2025!

About

With a title coming from the German word meaning “dope”, “poison”, and “medicine”, Das Rauschgift playfully and perilously explores apathy, addiction, and belonging. 

The never-ending battle of trying to have a good time is warped within a prism of problems as Travis, Cosimo, and Arzu attempt to convince their friend Nina to hit the town and indulge (even though she’s content to raw-dog life). Along the way, the gang approaches an intersection of conflicting desires: Is it truly possible to release your inhibitions and not lose control? To follow the herd and still feel like an individual? Can one even enjoy an ice cream sundae without extra hot fudge?

A lava lamp of 1960s/70s variety shows, 2000s pop-culture, and baroque sensibilities, Das Rauschgift takes audiences on a joyride through the peaks and valleys of trying to belong. The production takes influence from queer nightlife, ballet, post-modern dance, and collage to create a group of characters who rise, fall, stretch, and coalesce in mundane and fantastical ways.

Run time

85 minutes.

Venue

Box of Moonlight is a new arts venue in Brooklyn at 17 Saratoga Avenue, renovated and shared with the public by Artistic Director Andrew Hoepfner. The nearest subway stop is the Halsey J train.

Note: the venue is up one flight of stairs and there is not an elevator.

Please be advised: this performance contains fog/haze, colored flashing/strobing lights, and loud music. It includes content related to sex, substance use, strong language, and death.

There will be nudity and simulated vomit.

Team

Das Rauschgift is created and performed by Travis Amiel, Cosimo Pori, Nina Lucia Rodriguez, and Arzu Salman. The production team includes Connor Sale (lighting design), Joe Burt (set design), Emily Wong (stage management), Reuven Glezer (illusion design). The show is produced by Das Besties and Billy McEntee.

Support

Das Rauschgift is sponsored, in part, by the Greater New York Arts Development Fund of the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs, administered by Brooklyn Arts Council and the NYSCA-A.R.T./New York Creative Opportunity Fund (A Statewide Theatre Regrant Program).